MINEHEAD town councillors are hoping to find a site for a large metal skateboard ramp which has been unable to find a permanent home ever since it was commissioned by a Carhampton mother in memory of her son.

It was originally planned to donate the ‘half-pipe’ ramp to Carhampton Parish Council as an attraction for village youngsters, but a spokesman said the council was unable to accept it because of health and safety and planning issues.

The ramp is currently being stored on a Carhampton farm while its fate is decided and the parish council had appealed to other authorities for help in relocating it, Cllr Beresford Mandley told Minehead Town Council’s amenities and environment committee on Tuesday.

“We have expressed an interest in bringing the ramp to the town,” he said. “Now it is a question of finding a suitable site and making sure that all the safety, legal and planning requirements are complied with.”

He said that a Carhampton resident had commissioned the ramp in memory of her 24-year-old son, who had been a keen skateboarder, and was disappointed that it could not be installed in the village.

“She is delighted that there is a possibility of Minehead taking on the ramp, which is something very popular with youngsters and could be a real asset to the town.”

It was agreed that a working group would investigate possible sites and look into the implications of moving the ramp to Minehead.

“I hope we can work something out, so that residents are happy and children will be able to enjoy the facility,” Cllr Mandley said.

He added that the project was ‘work in progress’: “We are liaising with the police and looking at all risk assessment issues and will send out letters to assess the reaction from residents.

“It seems sad that this valuable piece of equipment is not being used when similar ramps elsewhere are so popular with youngsters,” Cllr Mandley said.